China Steel Corporation (CSC), Taiwan’s leading carbon steel producer, increased its February prices by NT$300 to NT$500 per ton, with expectations of a larger hike for the upcoming prices for March.

This upward trend, alongside a reduction in US tariffs to 15%, has altered buyer behavior. Downstream companies previously remained cautious, and they are now shifting from passive observation to active purchasing.

Steel pipe manufacturers report that clients are more willing to restock as market sentiment improves both domestically and abroad. Although the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday has kept individual order volumes modest, the increased frequency of procurement provides a morale boost for the industry. Sellers said that the earlier-than-usual announcement of March prices is a main factor driving this recovered interest in inventory replenishment.